Leeward First to Implement Energy Conservation Technologies

University of Hawai'i Community Colleges (UHCC), with support from the Hawai'i State Energy Office, today announced a contract with Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) to implement multiple conservation measures and a sustainability curriculum customized for UHCC students. The energy efficiency solutions are expected to create combined energy savings of over $58 million of the 20-year life of the contract.

Leeward Chancellor Manny Cabral states, "I am proud that our campus is the first of the four Oahu campuses to implement the project, which began this spring semester. We are keeping the campus posted on the progress and look forward to its completion."

"This performance contract with Johnson Controls enables UHCC to bring energy efficiency to the campuses in two critical and complementary ways," said John Morton, vice president for community colleges for the University of Hawai'i. "Our demand and usage of energy will decrease, and our students will benefit from global best practices as they train for the green collar jobs of tomorrow."

"Our mission includes partnering with state agencies for significant outcomes," said Richard Lim, director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. "This is a major achievement on the part of the UH Community Colleges and it has been our privilege to work with them and to continue the partnership for increased success."

UHCC’s O'ahu campuses will integrate many energy solutions designed to reduce the amount of electricity, water, wastewater and Syngas the sites currently use. They include energy efficient HVAC replacements, solar hot water, lighting retrofits, a full-time energy manager and electrical car charging stations that will reduce the use of fossil fuels. UHCC is expected to experience a guaranteed savings of more than 6 million KWH per year, which represents a reduction of approximately 23 percent of the campuses current usage.

A parallel initiative will integrate a customized curriculum based on individual college needs. As a part of UHCC’s conservation initiatives, Johnson Controls will also develop a customized sustainability curriculum for each college in collaboration with university faculty. The curriculum will consist of sustainability and renewable energy modules designed to naturally incorporate conservation learning within their major areas of study. Building energy conservation within the curriculum will help students transfer knowledge gained in the classroom to their professional and social experiences.

“University of Hawai'i Community Colleges is a prime example of an emerging higher education leader,” said Jim Simpson, director, Higher Education Energy Solutions, Johnson Controls. " The university is applying best practices in sustainability to implement an energy savings program while teaching students about the importance of conservation in anticipation of the growing demand for expertise in energy efficiency and sustainability.”